New Album The Understudy by Ed Blair

Blair grew up in a middle-class neighborhood on Kalamazoo's West Side. In his Junior year at Kalamazoo Central High School, Ed formed the hip-hop group Da Heartthrob with friends. Many of Ed's earliest performances took place at The Strutt in Kalamazoo. At Maple Street Magnet School, some of his teachers ridiculed his aspirations to become a musician but a teacher by the name of Rasaan Hawkins encouraged Ed to make music his focus in a class he taught called hip-hop hits in which Blair learned how to write his own music. After taking a break from college, Ed recorded his first full-length project, an album titled The Understudy. In 2017 he released two singles "What We Do" and "Come My Way" and publicly announced the album. In 2017, Blair made his television debut performing and interviewing on The Lori Moore Show on the CW7. Blair says he spent "about eight months recording, writing and making connections off of the hunger to put out something. Blair released the mixtape on April 6, 2017 and it has since been featured all over social media. The album was well received locally and helped Blair make connections with producers such as Jay Jackson, Brandon Mccall.

Artistry

Ed has stated on numerous occasions that Kanye West, Jay Z, A Tribe Called Quest, J. Cole, Lupe Fiasco, Common, J Dilla, 9th Wonder, Eminem, Cyhi The Prynce and Big K.R.I.T. have all influenced him. When asked about the producer influences in his music, he also has stated that Prince is one of his favorite artists, and his favorite composer.